70% of Russian defense industry's production will be civilian by 2015

(RIA Novosti) - By 2015, 70% of Russia's military-industrial complex production will be civilian, the defense minister said Wednesday.

Sergei Ivanov, speaking at an economic forum in St. Petersburg, said this would increasingly drive the economy forward, reports Trend.

"The process of innovation at defense-industry companies could also receive an extra boost through developing international cooperation in science and technology, and in high-technology," he said, adding that foreign partners would also benefit from this cooperation.

In 2005, the Russian defense industry's exports to a total of 61 countries were worth $6 billion, 20% more than planned.

"This is a record for Russia," said Ivanov, who is also a deputy prime minister.